Fat March Confidential - Episode 3

Here is the rest of the story.Wendy…Wendy is one of the most precious people in the world. She is gentle and forgiving and very sensitive to others. She also has strong opinions but is able to not make derogatory judgments against people that differ in opinion. No doubt Wendy struggled every day of the walk. It was very hard to motivate her past her pain and circumstances. There were times when Wendy was above it all and then... like you all saw in episode 3, there were times when the complaining was just too much. Try to understand what she was enduring. It wasn’t that the walk was unbearable; it was staying with it day after day that got to her. Wendy did have pain in her feet, and we looked at conservative ways to prevent any more inflammation of the plantar fascia and tight calf muscles. Wendy was told about hydration and walking strategies that would help to alleviate some of her woes. This entire experience was so new to her that she often felt overwhelmed. However, the day she quit was without merit.

Wendy had just accomplished a 16 mile walk, 6 miles of which she ran right along side Lorrie. She ran for six stinkin’ miles. What an amazing investment - and to just turn around and give it all up 24 hours later is a travesty. I believe that Wendy really needed to stick this thing out completely. She needed to embrace the pain and loneliness that accompanied walking 100’s of miles across wicked terrain and being out in the cold for months away from a supportive and loving husband. These situations and circumstances can destroy your spirit, or make you appreciate what we would all return home to after getting to DC. Wendy was capable to continue… but she did not. She should have delved deeper into her desire and held on… just one more day. And then just one more, and one more….Donuts… get your hot donuts…Jamilynn.I hate to burst your bubble, but a few more campers also took a bite or two. Oh yah, off camera of course, but none the less. Jami Lynn was upfront from the beginning that she had major food issues. Loralie explained her similar issues like this. “Steve” Loralie said, “Food is like an ex-lover that is just no good for me. Not just any ex… but a really sexy great in bed ex. When I think about him (food) all I remember are the good times. I forget how much pain and guilt he would cause. And after an incredible night together full of passion he just leaves you crying on the living room floor in the fetal position full of guilt” “And yet, late at night… I still want him so so bad”.

Sorry about that… back to the donut, Jami Lyn did eat an entire donut and would have opted for more had we let her. At some point all of the marchers need to learn to eat for nutrition and fuel first and foremost, then eat for satiety and taste second. Not every meal for the rest of our lives has to be liver and spinach… but pasties should not be a breakfast staple. Jami Lyn didn’t learn anything new with this donut exercise. She was already very aware of the consequences of eating the donut. Really we all know don’t we. We know when we eat Lasagna and breadsticks that “Coach Pfiester” is going to be less than proud. Don’t we???Will, Anthony and Matt…“Drama starter or Guardian Angel”Will, Anthony, and Matt were all struggling to complete some of the hellacious days we experienced during the third episode. The miles were brutal. Some days still were cold, some really stormy, and some hot as blue blazes, and the entire time the terrain was relentless and only getting worse. The only reprieve was walking into New York City. Before all of that we had an issue with Will and Mat. Yes Anthony got involved, perhaps to instigate some drama, but truly because he was upset about Matt’s knee. Anthony really felt that Matt’s knee was going to take him out if it wasn’t carefully looked after.

Here is the behind the scenes of what you didn’t know. This entire feud was over an incredible gesture form Matt towards Will. Big Will’s feet were raw and hurting and Matts knee was all but ground round burger meat. Matt had a brand new pair of sneakers he was going to use to try and help his knee. When he heard that Will was struggling with his feet and Will’s shoes were wet and warn… Matt gave Will his new pair of sneakers and ordered another pair for himself. You can imagine with huge feet, the sneakers had to be special ordered. In the interim Will took the shoes. While wearing the Matt’s new sneakers, Will breezed passed Matt on a day that Matt’s knee was getting the better of him. Matt took this as a slap in the face. Will walked by without a word to Matt even though it was apparent Matt was struggling from the discomfort of walking on his knee.

Now, you all have to know that Will loves Matt. He has a very high level of respect for him and that goes without saying. However, Will still continued without even an encouraging word. I believe Will said nothing because he really didn’t believe the Giant could feel pain. In Will’s eyes Matt was 10 foot tall and bullet proof. I believe Will was so worried about making sure he himself finished, that it never dawned on him his friend and mentor may need Will to encourage him for a change. That is how it all went south.

Anthony tried to explain to Will how it came off and Will made his point that he cares, but at the end of the day it is every man for himself - sort of a survivalist mentality. And Will’s psychology was, if he is the weakest, let me (WILL) at least make sure I finish and everyone else should be ok. What Will failed to see is that everyone was struggling, not just him. Will never intended on hurting Matt. Anthony was trying to tell Matt to be careful who he pours his time and energy into because investing time and emotion into someone who is in the self preservation mode may cause more harm than good - at least for Mat’s knees.Time Square:Oh wow. Can you for a minute put yourself in my place. Pretend for a minute that you are a trainer, but not a TV personality, not famous - not even close. Personal training is not a profession you pick for notoriety. You do it because you love it. As people change the incredible effect you have as a trainer on their life is usually all the thanks you ever get. But now, time square was the pay off of all pay offs. For one day the world watched as we celebrated the effort these walkers were making at changing their lives. And we were creating hope for millions of viewers. Hope that people everywhere can finally gain control over this demon. So there we were parading in the center of the world in Time Square.

Time Square was the ending point for the third stage. It marked the ending of the hardest stage we have encountered yet. The energy just poured from the crowds that were cheering our efforts to change the lives of these 9 people who have made it almost half way through this epic march. As if being in time square weren’t enough, an infomercial was being ran by ABC on their Jumbotron. There were all of our faces being displayed for all of the world to see. It was amazing. For just a moment it felt like the whole world was proud of what we were trying to accomplish. Like everyone was on the same page. Like for just an hour, the entire world said “we agree that it is time to do something about this epidemic and the movement is here… and it is called Fat March”